Pakistan’s remarkable victory in the two-match T20 series against hosts Sri Lanka reaffirms their status as the most unpredictable team in world cricket, especially in the limited overs format.

It was barely four months ago that the Pakistan cricket team had received a shock 0-3 ODI drubbing at the hands of lowly-ranked Bangladesh that was followed by deafening calls of overhaul from critics and fans alike.

But the emphatic manner of their victory over Sri Lanka, who are the reigning world T20 champions, is simply astounding and pretty much defies the laws of equilibrium.

No doubt, the turnaround has its reasons. Primarily, credit must be given to the national selectors for the induction of talented newcomers like Mukhtar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim and a few others whose enthusiasm in the field and the never-say-die approach clearly inspired the others to lift their game.

Adding to that were valuable contributions from comeback men including Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Sohail Tanvir and the marvellous Anwar Ali who, indeed, swung the pendulum Pakistan’s way to bring joy to the entire nation.

Cricket is a team game but more often than not, in the past Pakistan cricket outfits have found it difficult to rise above disturbing factors like player-wrangling, injuries and poor governance to give their best on the field.

Thankfully, however, none of these factors reared their ugly head in the recent Sri Lanka series and the players remained focused on the immediate objective on hand, which was to win matches.

Yet, while it is important to whole-heartedly laud the overall faring of the Pakistan team in Sri Lanka, it is a fact that the hosts are still going through a rebuilding phase following the retirement of stalwarts such as Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.

To face the formidable England side in the UAE in October could be a different proposition altogether and Pakistan will have to be at their best to win that contest.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play